when I was driving home today I kept hearing this loud metallic rasp/chatter like noise coming from what sounded like under the front of the car. both the engine and tranny felt fine, I even got on it but the car felt fine, but I have no idea what this noise could be. when I got home I jacked up the car and did a quick visual inspection but everything looked fine. could someone give me any suggestion what this noise could be

 

Could be quite a few things, try to isolate it.. easiest way to do that would be an automotive stethascope.. a long prybar or piece of heater hose works well for this purpose, put one end to your ear and put the other end to various parts of the engine, the louder/clearer it gets the closer your are... let us know what you find out....

 

Does your car have the cat converter? I would make that the first thing to check, if the sound came "from under the car."

 

well as far as I could tell while I was under the car nothing seemed loose, however for the past few weeks when ever I would come to a stop I would hear a ticking sound coming from the front passenger's side, I just figured it was something with the brakes but today when I started to hear that chattering noise that ticking noise seemed to have gone away.

also don't know if it could be related but lately when I start up my car when I let go of the key I hear a similar rasp sound that sounds like the starter goes for a second longer than it should

 

The converter itself won't be loose, but the honeycomb inside it may could possibly be broken. I know that can make a rattling noise.

Another thing to look for is an exhaust leak. It can produce a ticking noise. May or may not be associated with the original issue.

Like 89 said, go in with a form of stethoscope and probe arouund. Try to find out exactly where the noise is coming from.

 

Could be the starter drive is not disengaging all the way.